Electrical nightmare, HELP!!!

[officer dick]

I just completed a 1000 mile trip to my duty station, no problems. The engine lite came on periodically like before, I believe it to be the o2 sensor, no big deal right. A week later though, I get this electrical problem that will come and go as it pleases. Any time I accelerate sharply, hit a bump or decelerate quickly my battery light flashes as my volt gauge jumps around and my temp gauge follows suit. Now today I also started getting a burnt clutch/electrical fire smell at random. I seemed to be isolated to the cabin, so I pulled out the $10 Wal Mart special radio and it stopped. Untill I got out of the car and I smelled it again. I figure clutch, but with the POS radio I've got in there, well, I don't know. Any other time I've smelled a burnt clutch it's been smoking and smelling allot more potent. Are these problems related? Does anyone have some insight as to what it may be?

 

[Danman765432]

Maybe it could be something with your alternator power wire?

 

[Bosko5.0]

Pull the radio out and look around in their for burnt wires. Check fuses make sure the right amp fuse is in the right spot. Also check your battery cables and terminals.

If I were you I would unhook the battery when not in use so your car doen't decide to burst into flames.

 

[desertcox05]

when my electric fan quit working i smelled that same thing in the cabin. i'm not saying that IS your prob. only another place to look.
thanks for you service to our country

 

[officer dick]

Well, I'm an ass. Turns out my left rear park brake is stuck. I'm going to fix it today.
Still doesn't solve the problem of the flashing battery light though. I've jiggled the hell out of all the wires I could find while someone watched the gauges to no avail.

 

[HISSIN50]

What wires were jiggled?

A loose charge cable (as noted) will make the reading bounce around. Carefully wiggle test the cable and connections. The PDC connection is notorious for corroding.
The fusible links for the alt are near the driver's side of the PS pump. Ensure they have not started to burn.

Check the alt fuse in the underhood fusebox. Remove it, check the terminals and reinstall it. It can lead to issues if it's resistive.

A partially grounded switch circuit can cause the light to flicker artificially. However, since the voltmeter also goes wacky, that might rule that out (said another way, the light illuminates because there's indeed an issue).

I might also lightly tap the regulator while the car idles. Have an assistant see if the reading goes wonky.

Good luck.